Sports watches compared

Models for beginner and advanced (trail) runners

There is plenty of choice when it comes to solid, yet affordable sports watches. One notable player in the watch market is Suunto: popular among athletes of all levels for its detailed features, impressive battery life, and accurate GPS and navigation. 

Suunto sports watches
 

Extremely lightweight. Running-specific features. Excellent GPS connectivity. Impressive battery life. And all of that at an affordable price. That's why Suunto sports watches are ideal for runners taking their first steps in tracking their data, as well as for more experienced runners. 

Suunto Run

The watch with runner-specific features 

Start to runner or marathoner? The features of the Suunto Run make training a little more fun. The watch focuses specifically on runners with its runner-oriented functions such as marathon running, track running, or ghost running*. 

Feather-light, you almost forget you're wearing it

The Suunto Run is the lightest watch in the Suunto range. Its lightweight design, combined with a slim and minimalist look and a textile strap, prevents any potential discomfort.  

Excellent battery life

Focus on your goals, not your battery. The Suunto Run lasts up to 12 days during daily activities and sleep tracking. or training sessions or races with optimal GPS, the battery holds up for around 20 hours. If you activate the battery save mode during activities, it can last up to 40 hours before running low.  

*Ghost running = running against a virtual opponent. For example, you can set a target time for a certain distance, and along the way, you see whether you are ahead of or behind you 'ghost'.  

Suunto Race 

The watch for racers, but also for recreational runners 

De Suunto Race is, as the name suggests, designed for racers. But, also for recreational sporters who value accuracy. It tracks the basics of a healthy lifestyle, such as your sleep and daily activities. In addition, it provides personal feedback on your training and progress. Are you training efficiently? Are you getting enough rest? What are your training zones?   

Impressive battery life 

While the Suunto Run already performs well in terms of battery life, the Suunto Race goes even further. With normal daily tracking of steps, heart rate, sleep, and other basic functions, the watch lasts up to 16 days. If you turn off heart rate monitoring, it can last up to 26 days. During races or training with optimal GPS and performance tracking, it can last up to 50 hours (which is more than 2 days!). Using the battery save mode, your training can last up to 200 hours. 

A variety of sports

For athletes who don't stick to just one sport: detailed data tracking is available for running, cycling, and swimming, but you can also choose from over 95 other sports. For trail runners, features such as offline maps, POI navigation, breadcrumb trails, and route planning are just a few of the navigation tools included. 

Suunto Vertical 2 

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The sports watch for adventurers and trail runners 

When it comes to battery life and accuracy, the Suunto Vertical 2 ranks among the best. We already mentioned a good battery life with the models above, but the battery of the Vertical lasts even longer: up to 20 days in smartwatch mode. In activity mode with GPS, it lasts up to 85 hours. Do you, as an ultra (trail) runners, need more? Yes, perhaps: optimal GPS. And in that respect, the Vertical certainly does not disappoint. 

Maps on your wrist 

The Suunto Vertical knows the terrain. It knows where you're going and how to get there, showing you water sources, sand trails, and other important landmarks - all in offline mode. And with an optimal GPS function, it's the must-have trail runners want. 

Train for your next goals 

Of course, you can also use the Suunto Vertical 2 in more everyday conditions - there's no need to head for the mountains. Cycling, running, swimming and any of the more than 95 other sports are perfectly possible to track. As with other Suunto sports watches, you receive feedback on your training, progres, recovery, heart rate... 

An overview of the Suunto sports watches
 

Suunto Run 
 

Audience: recreational, but also slighly more experienced runners 

Price: €249,00

Battery life: up to 12 days in smartwatch mode, up to 30 hours in gps mode
 

Water resistancy: up to 50m

Memory for offline maps: no

Suunto Race 2

Audience: (race) runners who train efficiently to a specific goal.

Price: €399,00

Battery life: up to 18 days in smartwatch mode, up to 65 hours in gps-mode

Water resistancy: up to 100m 

Memory for offline maps: 32gb

Suunto Vertical 2

Audience: especially trail runners who seek for a good gps function.

Price: €599,95

Battery life: up to 20 days in smartwatch mode, up to 75 hours in gps mode 

Water resistancy: up to 100m 

Memory for offline maps: 32gb

A comparable Garmin competitor
 

Garmin is a well-known name in the running world. The brand offers a wide range of watches, from entry-level models to the most sophisticated devices. The price range is equally broad: you can find sports watches around €200, or models that exceed €1,000. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is a modest, but reliable device for beginners or slightly experienced runners. 

Garmin Forerunner 165

Comparable to the Suunto Run

Budget-friendly watch

This Garmin Forerunner 165 is one of the most affordable options within the Garmin range. But, that doesn't make the watch inferior. At least, if you're not looking for a premium device with ultra-detailed data. For the recreational athlete who wants to analyze the basics of their training, this Garmin Forerunner 165 is a perfect choice. 

Coach around your wrist  

Just like most other sports watches, this Garmin acts as a coach on your wrist. It provides daily training suggestions based on your recovery and activity history. You can also set up free training plans from expert coaches to help you reach your goals. Finally, the watch gives insight into how your workouts impact your performance. 

Wake up with insights

The Garmin Forerunner 165 provides you with a morning report every day when you wake up. It gives an overview of your sleep, training planning, and the weather. You wake up full of insights about your body, ideal for making the most out of your day.